The lobby is still bustling with executive types from the conference. Through the glass doors I can see the doorman back on the steps, busy hailing taxis and pocketing tips. A squat Japanese man in a blue suit is standing near me with some European-looking businessmen, exclaiming in what sounds like loud, furious Japanese and gesticulating at everybody with the conference pass strung round his neck on a red cord. He’s so tiny and the other men look so nervous, I almost want to smile.
The brandy arrives on a salver and I pause briefly to drain it in one, then keep walking, in the same repetitive route.
Potted ficus … newspaper table … litter bin … potted ficus … newspaper table … litter bin …
Now I’ve calmed down a bit, I’m starting to churn with murderous thoughts. Does that Hoodie Guy realize he’s wrecked my life? Does he realize how crucial a phone is? It’s the worst thing you can steal from a person. The worst.
And it wasn’t even that great a phone. It was pretty ancient. So good luck to Hoodie Guy if he wants to type ‘B’ in a text or go on the internet. I hope he tries and fails. Then he’ll be sorry.
Ficus … newspapers … bin … ficus … newspapers … bin …
And he hurt my shoulder. Bastard. Maybe I could sue him for millions. If they ever catch him, which they won’t.
Ficus … newspapers … bin …
Bin.
Wait.
What’s that?
I stop dead in my tracks and stare into the bin, wondering if someone’s playing a trick on me, or I’m hallucinating.
It’s a phone.
Right there in the litter bin. A mobile phone.
You’ll be able to read the complete book
when it is published in February.
1. His specialism is Cultural Symbolism. I speed-read his book, The Philosophy of Symbolism, after our second date and then tried to pretend I’d read it ages ago, coincidentally, for pleasure. (Which, to be fair, he didn’t believe for a minute.) Anyway, the point is, I read it. And what impressed me most was: there were so many footnotes. I’ve totally got into them. Aren’t they handy? You just bung them in whenever you want and instantly look clever.
Magnus says footnotes are for things which aren’t your main concern but nevertheless hold some interest for you. So. This is my footnote about footnotes.
2. Which, actually, I never say. Just like Humphrey Bogart never said, ‘Play it again, Sam.’ It’s an urban myth.
3. Of course, the hotel wasn’t on fire. The system had short-circuited. I found that out afterwards, not that it was any consolation.
4. Did Poirot ever say ‘Oh my God’? I bet he did. Or ‘Sacrebleu!’ which comes to the same thing. And does this not disprove Antony’s theory since Poirot’s grey cells are clearly stronger than anyone else’s? I might point this out to Antony one day. When I’m feeling brave. (Which, if I’ve lost the ring, will be never, obviously.)
5. Weak mind.
6. I’m allowed to give myself at least a chance of getting it back safely and him never having to know, aren’t I?
About the Author
Sophie Kinsella is an international bestselling writer and former financial journalist. She is the author of the number-one bestsellers Can You Keep A Secret?, The Undomestic Goddess, Remember Me? and Twenties Girl as well as the hugely popular Shopaholic novels, the first of which has become the Hollywood movie Confessions of a Shopaholic. She lives in London with her husband and children.
Visit the global Sophie Kinsella website at www.sophiekinsella.co.uk for Sophie’s latest news, videos & competitions, and join her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SophieKinsellaOfficial.
Also by Sophie Kinsella
THE SECRET DREAMWORLD OF A SHOPAHOLIC
(also published as CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC)
SHOPAHOLIC ABROAD
SHOPAHOLIC TIES THE KNOT
SHOPAHOLIC & SISTER
SHOPAHOLIC & BABY
MINI SHOPAHOLIC
CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET?
THE UNDOMESTIC GODDESS
REMEMBER ME?
TWENTIES GIRL
I’VE GOT YOUR NUMBER
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SIX GEESE A-LAYING
Version 1.0 Epub ISBN: 9781448126019
First published in Great Britain
in 2011 by Transworld Digital
an imprint of Transworld Publishers
Copyright © Sophie Kinsella 2011
Sophie Kinsella has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
This book is a work of fiction and, except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
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Table of Contents
Cover
About the Book
Title Page
Six Geese A-Laying
Sneak Preview of I’ve Got Your Number
About the Author
Also by Sophie Kinsella
Copyright